Polymer photonic crystal fibers
First Claim
1. A photonic crystal fiber device, comprising:
- a composite polymer fiber comprising polymer scattering fibers disposed within a polymer filler, the polymer scattering fibers having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the polymer filler, the scattering fibers arranged in cross-section across the polymer fiber in a photonic crystal arrangement selected to provide desired spectral effects for light incident laterally on the composite polymer fiber, wherein at least one of the polymer filler and the scattering fibers comprises a birefringent polymer material.
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Abstract
A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.
89 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A photonic crystal fiber device, comprising:
- a composite polymer fiber comprising polymer scattering fibers disposed within a polymer filler, the polymer scattering fibers having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the polymer filler, the scattering fibers arranged in cross-section across the polymer fiber in a photonic crystal arrangement selected to provide desired spectral effects for light incident laterally on the composite polymer fiber, wherein at least one of the polymer filler and the scattering fibers comprises a birefringent polymer material.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A photonic crystal fiber device, comprising:
- a polymer matrix; and
composite polymer fibers disposed in the polymer matrix, the composite polymer fibers comprising polymer scattering fibers disposed within a polymer filler, the polymer scattering fibers having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the polymer filler, the scattering fibers in at least one composite fiber being arranged in cross-section across the at least one composite fiber in a photonic crystal arrangement selected to provide desired spectral effects for light incident laterally on the at least one composite fiber, wherein at least one of the polymer filler and the scattering fibers comprises a birefringent polymer material. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a polymer matrix; and
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11. A photonic crystal fiber device, comprising:
- a polymer matrix; and
composite polymer fibers disposed in the polymer matrix, the composite polymer fibers comprising polymer scattering fibers disposed within a polymer filler, the polymer scattering fibers having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the polymer filler, the scattering fibers in at least one composite fiber being arranged in cross-section across the at least one composite fiber in a photonic crystal arrangement selected to provide desired spectral effects for light incident laterally on the at least one composite fiber, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a structured surface, and wherein the structured surface comprises a brightness enhancing surface structure.
- a polymer matrix; and
Specification